Mobile Game Roundup: Happy Pet Story, AG Drive and More

Looking for a new mobile game to try this weekend? Here’s a look at some of the new games released on smartphones and tablets this week.

Happy Pet Story (Free on iOS, Android) – This pet simulation game from Happy Labs allows players to create their own pet using over 200 customization options for items including eyes and ears, as examples. After creating a pet, players can decorate its home and further customize the pet with over 200 clothing and accessory pieces. Gamers can play mini-games with their pet, as well as interact with computer-controlled animals or visit their friends’ pets.

Moto Joe (Free on iOS, Android) – This challenging endless runner from 3 Magic Shots is comparable to Flappy Bird, as players must tap on the screen to help Joe and his bike avoid traps and other obstacles on the screen. The slightest miss-tap sends Joe flying into an obstacle, which means game over. Players work to earn a high score, which can be shared with friends.

Switch & Drop (Free on iOS) – This puzzle title from UnScientific Lab and Chillingo asks players to complete levels by making matches of three-or-more colored blocks, which fall from the top of the screen (think Tetris). As the blocks fall, players can swipe left and right on the screen to change the orientation of the blocks in each horizontal line in order to create matches. Levels become more complicated over time, with items like power-up blocks added to the game.

Jolly Jam (Free on iOS, Android) – This line-drawing puzzle game was originally released back in September 2014, before being delisted a few weeks later. The game is now back under the Rovio Stars label, and has been launched on iOS and Android. Jolly Jam is a twist on traditional match-three games, as instead of swapping the locations of symbols, players tap on a chosen symbol and then drag their finger to create a square using another symbol of the same color. All matching symbols within the square are removed from the screen. The level-based game becomes more challenging over time, and includes boss fights.

Monster vs Sheep ($0.99 on iOS) – This newest title from Goon Studios challenges players to save a coastal island from an invading sea monster by swiping to fling sheep into his mouth to satisfy his hunger. The monster will advance inland until he has eaten enough sheep to fill a bar at the top of the screen. The faster players feed the monster and fill this bar, the more points and stars they’ll earn for each stage.

Mystery of Neuschwanstein (Free on iPad, Android tablets) – This hidden object game from astragon and Chimera Entertainment takes players to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, where they’ll follow Sarah Hamilton, investigative reporter, on a quest to find the truth behind one of Germany’s most high-profile cold cases. Players will complete hidden object scenes, puzzles and mini-games as they explore hand-drawn locations in this story based on true events.

Dreamslide Plus (Free on iOS) – This line-drawing title from Gaffa Games challenges players to draw lines under Little John to help him fly and collect stars while he dreams through 40 randomized levels. Players quickly slide their finger to create lines under John, with physics seeing him speed up on downhill ramps or slow down on inclines. The game is self-described as a challenging experience, as it’s “not supposed to be easy,” and players should expect to take some time learning the proper way to swipe and create lines. Outside of the level-based gameplay, users can play an endless level to earn more points as they work to unlock achievements and climb leaderboards.

Evil Genius Online (Free on iOS) – Originally released on Facebook in December 2013, this title from UK developer, Rebellion, is a modern take on the classic PC game, Evil Genius. The game allows players to build and expand their lair, training and controlling their minions in a quest for world domination. Facebook players can sync their progress to this mobile version of the game to continue where they left off.

AdVenture Capitalist (Free on iOS, Android) – This “clicker” title from Hyper Hippo Games has already found success on the web, where it was featured as one of 2014’s Best New Games on Miniclip and has reportedly racked up over 75 million plays across all outlets. The game challenges players to build a business capable of global domination by tapping to earn money in businesses of increasing value. Players start with a lemonade stand before eventually diversifying into newspaper delivery, donut shops, movie studios and beyond. Rather than focus on tapping as quickly as one can, the game asks players to tap and wait for bars to fill to generate money every few seconds, but the same general principal applies: the more players tap, the more money they’ll earn, and the more businesses and upgrades they can purchase.

Nian (Free on iOS) – This latest game from Super Mega Worm developer, Deceased Pixel, celebrates the Chinese New Year by challenging players to guide the Nian around obstacles while collecting special items. The game offers 27 levels, and players control the Nian by rapidly tapping on directional arrows at the bottom of the screen. The faster they tap, the faster the Nian moves to collect each level’s key items. When players have collected every necessary item, they earn up to three stars on the stage, depending on their speed (and collection of secondary items).

iO: A Physics Platformer ($2.99 on iOS) – This title from Gamious and BluBox Games offers over 150 puzzles to solve using physics-based gameplay. Users control a single ball, and can manipulate its size, weight and mass to reach the exit of each puzzle as quickly as possible. Levels are sometimes complex, offering portals, inverted gravity, vehicles and more. Players will be able to share their best times with friends and compare their scores with others on global leaderboards.

Pocket Ages (Free on iOS) – This city-building title from Boomzap Entertainment and 505 Games asks players to build and advance a city for their villagers through four eras: Prehistoric, Ancient, Classical and Medieval. Players start with the basics, like tents and campfires, and will eventually research and construct more sophisticated buildings and items as their civilization advances. Players will control their villager’s actions, with villagers themselves also changing as their city progresses into the future.

Saber’s Edge (Free on Amazon Fire tablets) – Co-developed by Amazon Game Studios and Hibernum Creations, Saber’s Edge is a match-three RPG which allows players to recruit a group of buccaneers and collect powerful weapons and loot as they battle enemies. Strategy plays a role here, as players need to determine the best crew members to take into battle (based on their unique skills), and where to position them on the battlefield for the most success.

AG Drive ($3.99 on iOS) – A futuristic racing game from ZORG Entertainment, AG Drive (Anti-Gravity Drive) was inspired by the likes of Wipeout and F-Zero. The game takes players to a world 250 years into the future, as they race against opponents by driving over and under cities on multiple tracks in a variety of settings. Players can pilot multiple ships with different skills, and will have access to multiple gameplay modes, including single races, time trials, elimination races, cup races, duels and more.

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